THE GREAT SHEPHERD–PSALM 23; HEBREWS 13:20-21
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21-Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Introduction:
The 23rd Psalm has been for generations a comfort to those who have lost loved ones or to those who are depressed and lonely.
Is speaks of our Great Shepherd and what He does for us. In these verses we see our Shepherd in seven different functions as He cares for his sheep.
I. OUR SHEPHERD
A. As our Shepherd he sees to our physical needs. Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
1. Basic needs for our good health.
2. Basic needs for our need of a home, .” Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
B. As our great High Priest He sees to our spiritual needs.
1. He has seen to our need of redemption, Hebrews 9:9-11, “Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10-Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;”
2. He sees to our need of our spiritual maintenance, 1 John 1:9,
3. He see our to our need of fellowship, Acts 2:42.
II. THE CARE OF THE SHEPHERD
A. He goes before the sheep, John 10:28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
B. He knows each sheep by name, Luke 10:20b, “but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
C. The sheep do not need to worry when they follow him.
1. He protects them.
a. In the valley the shepherd is beside them.
b. Beyond the valley he leads them to the house of rest.
c. At the end of the day he leads them back to the fold.
2. He provides for them.
a. He stands at the door of the fold to examine each one.
b. He sees the bruised and weary one.
c. He applies oil upon it.
1) The oil refreshes.
2) It heals the wounds.
d. He gives the sheep a drink of cool water.
I. THE GRACIOUSNESS OF OUR SHEPHERD TO CARE FOR US
(Each of the Old Testament names for God is seen in this Psalm:)
(Each of the Old Testament names for God is seen in this Psalm:)
F. Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord will provide,” v. 1; Genesis 22:13-14, “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14-And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”
G. Jehovah-Rapha, “The Lord will heal or restore,” vs. 2-3; Exodus 15:26, “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
H. Jehovah-Shalom, “The Lord our peace,” v. 2; Judges 6:24, “Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”
I. Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “The Lord our righteousness,” v. 3; Jeremiah 23:6, “6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
J. Jehovah-Shammah, “The Lord is there,” v. 4; Ezekiel 48:35, “It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.”
K. Jehovah-Nissi, “The Lord our banner,” v. 4; Exodus 17:8-15, (vs. 14-15) “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15-And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:”
L. Jehovah-Raah, “The Lord my shepherd,” v. 1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
CONCLUSION:
Jesus is to His sheep all that they ever need. It is like the little girl trying to quote Psalm 23:1 when she said “The Lord is my shepherd – what more shall I want?”